Buffering internal thermal surges: the role of precursor specific heat capacity in the microstructural integrity of LiNiO2 cathodes

Abstract

This study identifies precursor-specific heat capacity (C_p) as a critical thermophysical descriptor for LiNiO₂ cathodes. Higher-C_p precursors buffer internal thermal surges during calcination, promoting uniform grain growth and suppressing cation mixing. This moderated thermal evolution significantly enhances the chemomechanical durability and long-term cycling performance of high-Ni cathodes.